Jobs figures reveal contrasting fortunes of solar in Germany and the US

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

New figures highlight the contrasting fortunes of the solar energy sector in Germany and the US.

Germany's solar manufacturing sector is dwindling but employment in the American solar industry as a whole has grown by 20%, according to a job census carried out by the Solar Foundation.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Their results found that 142,698 people were employed in the sector in 2013, up 23,682, or 19.9%, on the previous year. The national average rate of employment growth was 1.9%.

“The solar industry’s job-creating power is clear,” said Andrea Luecke, executive director and president of The Solar Foundation. “The industry has grown an astounding 53% in the last four years alone, adding nearly 50,000 jobs. Our census findings show that for the fourth year running, solar jobs remain well-paid and attract highly-skilled workers.”

Commenting on the new figures, US energy secretary Ernest Moniz said: “President Obama has set an ambitious goal to double electricity generation from renewable sources once again by 2020, and a vibrant US workforce is vital to achieving this. To support a growing workforce and a new generation of clean energy leaders, the Energy Department is providing training and education opportunities for engineers, utility workers and students, as well as supporting projects across the country, to ensure America’s continued leadership in clean energy innovation.”

Meanwhile, jobs in Germany’s solar manufacturing sector were reported to have halved in the previous two years, according to official government figures the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper claimed to have seen.

The paper said that employment had fallen from 10,200 at the start of 2012 to 4,800 in November 2013.

A number of German manufacturers and project developers have faced bankruptcy or major restructuring in recent years including SolarWorld, Conergy, Solarstrom, Gehrlicher, juwi, Solarwatt and CENTROSOLAR, while German multinationals Siemens and Bosch have withdrawn from the sector.

PV installations in Germany have declined drastically in 2013, compared to previous years, impacting installer firms as well. 

In 2012, the PV industry employed approximately 88,000 people throughout the supply chain in Germany, according to the Federal Environment Ministry (BMU).

Read Next

September 10, 2025
At RE+ 2025, companies launched AI-driven platforms, terrain-following trackers, low-carbon modules, and advanced energy management solutions for solar and storage.
Premium
September 10, 2025
PV Talk: Italy’s new CfD policy offers clear support for solar developers in an otherwise uncertain legislative landscape, says Terrawatt's Patrizio Donati.
September 10, 2025
A project claimed to be Germany’s largest agriPV plant has been commissioned in the north-east of the country.
September 10, 2025
Renewables developer rPlus Energies has secured US$100 million in tax equity financing for its 125MW solar PV plant in the US state of Idaho.
September 10, 2025
Indian solar module manufacturer Vikram Solar reported a 79.7% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first quarter of FY26.
September 10, 2025
Cordelio Power has started commercial operations at its 150MW Winfield solar project in Lincoln County, Missouri.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines